Shroud's 2010 Halloween Extravaganza!

I'm not sure of the exact date that talented author (and friend) Kevin Lucia approached me and suggested a themed Halloween Issue.  What I remember is that Kevin offered to "guest edit" it and I was thrilled by the prospect of seeing Kevin's creative vision manifest.

Over the past several weeks, I've been delighted to see the names that have slowly made their way to the Halloween Issue's table of contents.  Rio Youers, Lisa Mannetti, Jeremy Shipp, Nicholas Grabowski, Kelli Owen, Norman Partridge, Dan Keohane, Jodi Lee, Brian Hatcher and so many more (see full TOC below).

Not only did Kevin put his absolute best effort into this issue, but he also suffered the rigors related to editorial management with class and aplomb.  His efforts also served as proof positive that the guest editor idea--along with the themed issue--was something that we believe could work out well for Shroud's readers.

Better yet, we ran into one of our favorite artists at Context in August, Steven Gilberts.  Steve has done a number of covers for Shroud and they are among our most popular. On the night of our fabled Context Shroud Party, Steve showed us a painting he had done onsite that day.  We fell in love with it and immediately contracted Steve to do the Halloween issue cover.  I asked Steve to take his pumpkin man concept and place them in "literary positions."  The masterful work you see above is what he came up with.  After Danny Evarts finished several beautiful original wood and linoleum cuts for spot illustrations, then edited and designed the issue, we felt that this is perhaps our best issue yet.  Perfect for our favorite holiday.

ORDER IT NOW (and receive it as it comes available)

Kevin Lucia to Attend Reading and Signing at Binghamton Bookstore

Subject: Binghamton Author, Kevin Lucia, to read from "Hiram Grange and the Chosen One (horror/comedy, adventure novel)

Date of the event: October 8th, 2010, 6PM

Location: River Read Books, 5 Court Street, Downtown Binghamton, NY, 607 217-7292. Web: http://riverreadbooks.com/

Contact: Tim Deal, Publisher, at tim@shroudmagazine.com or 603.652.8136; Kevin Lucia, author, at kevin@shroudmagazine.com

Details:

Kevin Lucia, a Binghamton author and alumnus of Binghamton University and Harpursville Central School will be signing and reading his first novel at River Read Books in downtown Binghamton on October 8th at 6:30 PM.

Lucia's "Hiram Grange and the Chosen One," published by Shroud Publishing, is the fourth book in the multi-author series, "The Scandalous Misadventures of Hiram Grange."

In CHOSEN ONE, Lucia takes his readers on a wild chase through Belfast's darker boroughs as Hiram Grange faces his toughest--and perhaps most unusual--assignment yet.

CHOSEN ONE has garnered widespread International praise as well as several recommendations for a Bram Stoker Award from Lucia's peers.

Reviews:

“H.P. Lovecraft meets Ian Fleming – and H.P. Lovecraft wins. Lucia delivers non-stop action and shocks from the get-go, with tentacle very firmly in cheek…”

- Joseph D’Lacey, critically acclaimed author of MEAT and GARBAGE MAN.

“In the mood for a wild ride of a book? Something smart and scary and exciting? Kevin Lucia’s HIRAM GRANGE & THE CHOSEN ONE fits the bill to perfection. It teems with monsters and demons, with arcane lore, black magic and narrow escapes. Even the hero is edgy and obsessed. What could be more delicious? Long live Hiram Grange!”

- Robert Dunbar, Bram Stoker Nominated author of THE SHORE and MARTYRS & MONSTERS

"Kevin Lucia's writing is both scary and smart--a lethal cocktail that makes for mesmerizing storytelling."

- Tosca Lee, critically acclaimed author of DEMON: A MEMOIR

"Packed with high octane dark adventure and brimming with humor, Kevin Lucia’s HIRAM GRANGE & THE CHOSEN ONE thunders across the pages like a herd of wild horses. This is what cult fiction is all about!"

- J. L. Comeau, Count Gore's Creature Feature

“Fans of Kevin Lucia’s short story work have long awaited his first novella. And his book in the Hiram Grange series is the perfect vehicle for Lucia to not only please his old fans, but to show new ones just how damn good he is.”

- Gregory Hall- author of AT THE END OF CHURCH STREET and host of the Funky Werepig

"Hiram Grange and The Chosen One is one of those stories you simply lose yourself in, and hate to have end. From the opening to the final scenes it never lets up with over-the-top action and plenty of dark laughs. I loved it! And want more Hiram Grange, please!"

- Bram Stoker-Nominated author of SOLOMON'S GRAVE, Dan Keohane

Please contact the publisher or author for additional details.

Hiram Grange and the Chosen One Coming soon!

Hiram Grange doesn’t believe in fate. He makes his own destiny. That’s a good thing, because Queen Mab of Faerie has foreseen the destruction of the world, and as usual… it’s all Hiram’s fault. He must choose: kill an innocent girl and save the universe… or rescue her and watch all else burn. Just another day on the job for Hiram Grange.

In Book Four of the Scandalous Misadventures of Hiram Grange, author Kevin Lucia, takes his readers on a wild chase through Belfast's darker boroughs as Hiram Grange faces his toughest--and perhaps most unusual--assignment yet.

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER.  Should be available in 1 week.

About Kevin Lucia

Kevin Lucia is a Contributing Editor for Shroud Magazine. His short fiction has appeared in several anthologies. He teaches high school English, and is working on a Creative Writing Masters Degree at Binghamton University. He lives in Castle Creek, New York with his wife and children. He is also currently writing his first full-length novel. Visit Kevin online at www.kevinlucia.net.

What are People Saying?

“H.P. Lovecraft meets Ian Fleming – and H.P. Lovecraft wins. Lucia delivers non-stop action and shocks from the get-go, with tentacle very firmly in cheek…”

 - Joseph D’Lacey, critically acclaimed author of MEAT and GARBAGE MAN.

“In the mood for a wild ride of a book? Something smart and scary and exciting? Kevin Lucia’s HIRAM GRANGE & THE CHOSEN ONE fits the bill to perfection. It teems with monsters and demons, with arcane lore, black magic and narrow escapes. Even the hero is edgy and obsessed. What could be more delicious? Long live Hiram Grange!”

- Robert Dunbar, Bram Stoker Nominated author of THE SHORE and MARTYRS & MONSTERS

"Kevin Lucia's writing is both scary and smart--a lethal cocktail that makes for mesmerizing storytelling."

- Tosca Lee, critically acclaimed author of DEMON: A MEMOIR

"Packed with high octane dark adventure and brimming with humor, Kevin Lucia’s HIRAM GRANGE & THE CHOSEN ONE thunders across the pages like a herd of wild horses.  This is what cult fiction is all about!"

- J. L. Comeau, Count Gore's Creature Feature

“Fans of Kevin Lucia’s short story work have long awaited his first novella. And his book in the Hiram Grange series is the perfect vehicle for Lucia to not only please his old fans, but to show new ones just how damn good he is.”

- Gregory Hall- author of AT THE END OF CHURCH STREET and host of the Funky Werepig

"Hiram Grange and The Chosen One is one of those stories you simply lose yourself in, and hate to have end. From the opening to the final scenes it never lets up with over-the-top action and plenty of dark laughs. I loved it! And want more Hiram Grange, please!"

- Bram Stoker-Nominated author  of SOLOMON'S GRAVE, Dan Keohane

Shroud's 20 Most Recommended Reads of 2009!

By Kevin Lucia, Shroud Magazine Review Editor

Book reviewing is a strange gig. Everyone likes different things. Taste and preferences vary. So do style and voice. As much as we don't want to admit it, it's often all a matter of opinion. One reader's bestseller is another reader's most despised literary atrocity ever put to page. That, and how to account for the way one book impacts some readers, yet glances off the head of others? Sometimes, it has everything to do with quality, style, taste, and timing. Other times, books simply hook readers in "just the right way".

Read the recommended reads HERE...

Shroud Book Reviews by Kevin Lucia

Get the latest scoop on some of the best horror circulating the bookshelves with Kevin Lucia's Book Reviews for Shroud here:

http://shroudmagazinebookreviews.blogspot.com/

Start following the blog in order to receive a chance to win rare advance copies!